Match Reports, 1st July 2017. Brewers Bowl their way to three wins

Alton 1st XI V Burridge
Alton retuned to winning ways on Saturday in dramatic fashion, as they edged Burridge in what was a low scoring but fascinating affair.

The visitors won the toss and asked Alton to bat first. After last weeks disappointment the Brewers started in watchful fashion, but it was the visitors who made the early breakthrough. Hammond edging McMurray behind Alton reduced to 17 for 1 early.

Harris fresh from his hundred the week before joined Janmohamed but with the Burridge opening pair bowling a tight opening spell Alton were once again on the back foot as Harris edged Stancliffe behind for 5 and Alton were 38 for 2. Skipper Myers and Janmohamed looked to rebuild, the experienced pair looking comfortable moved the score past 70. Sullivan White was brought into the attack the Burridge seamer made the breakthrough, Myers miscuing to gully for 17. Alton were now 71 for 3.

Janmohamed was still there pouncing on anything short, he scored 46 in a 94 ball stay including 7 boundaries but when Sullivan picked up his second wicket finding the edge of Janmohamed, Steward once again making no mistake with the gloves. Alton lost their fourth wicket with the score on 90.

The Heffernan brothers struggled to move the scoreboard along before the lunch break but the pair saw the Brewers through to lunch without further loss as they went in at the break at 91 for 4. Looking to push the score on after tea Michael Heffernan was Sullivan’s third victim as he was caught and bowled with Alton still one short of one hundred. Mark Heffernan was just finding his rhythm when he too fell victim to Sullivan. Sullivan breached Heffernan’s defence bowling him for 21. When Postles fell straight after the economical Mugochi picking up his first victim, Alton were in further trouble at 116 fro 7.

Alton needed its lower order to deliver, however it was not to be Jamison who had in previous weeks added valuable runs was caught off slip off the bowling of Mugochi and when Sullivan picked up his fifth wicket removing Jack Myers for 8 Alton were staring down the barrel at 127 for 9. Sullivan returning fine figures of 4 for 44 off his 18 overs. Mortimer and Ballinger looked to frustrate Burridge but when but when Mortimer picked out long on, Mugochi ending proceedings with 3 for 22 off 13.5 overs, Alton slumped to 139 all out.

The pitch was offering some variable bounce but the home side were well sort of a par score. Jamison and Mortimer searched fro a quick start and when Mortimer removed Dan Hewitt for 0, Burridge were one down early with the score on seven. This did not change the visitors aggressive approach both Richards and Collings-Wells were quick to throw their hands at any width. The pair did seem to struggle with the pace of Jamison but it was Burridge who gained the early initiative as the partnership past 50.

Jamison eventually got his reward a fine delivery beating Richards defences clean bowling the Burridge opener for 37, the visitors 73 for 2. Jack Myers was brought into the attack, skipper Scott Myers gambled bringing the field up to the aggressive Colling-Wells. Collings-Wells obliged trying to clear the infield only to find mid on, Heffernan completing the catch the score now 83 for 3. Tea was taken with Burridge still in total control at 91 for 3.

Post tea the Brewers threw everything at Burridge, young Myers producing a magnificent spell of leg spin bowling to transform the game. He bowled Steward for 14 immediately after the break for 14 then followed this up immediately bowling Campopiano for 4. Alton sensed a glimmer of hope as Burridge fell to 95 for 5.

Stancliffe joined the dangerous Burridge overseas Mugochi but Myers was not finished as he continued to dominate, he cleaned bowled Mugochi then Stancliffe played on for 2. Myers had five wickets on the bounce and visitors were now 107 for 7 still 33 runs short of victory. Myers made it six as he removed skipper Ankers, a wonderful leg spin delivery finding the edge, brother Scott completing the catch at slip. Burridge in freefall at 108 for 8. Jack with fabulous figures of 6 for 32 off 14 overs.

The visitors were not finished though as the game took another twist. Sullivan who had been instrumental with the ball edged Burridge closer to the victory total. They were now still 8 down with only 9 required for victory. Jamison who had also bowled exceptionally well trapped Charles Bolton in front for a patient 8 as Alton got their ninth wicket, Jamison ending with figures of 2 for 41 off his 18 overs. Only seven runs were required for victory Sullivan now on 17 not out. Ballinger was back in the attack and with the Burridge number 11 in his sights the experienced off spinner trapped McMurray in front a vociferous appeal followed and when the umpire raised his finger the Brewers had sealed what was an unlikely victory.

Alton will look to take the positives into next weekend as they host a strong Havant on Saturday. Sunday sees the Brewers face local rivals Liphook & Ripsley at Jubilee in the second round of the British Gas Premier League T20. The game will start at 3pm everyone is welcome there will be a BBQ and the bar will be open.

Fair Oak v Alton 2nd XI
After a heavy defeat the week before the Alton second eleven bounced back in encouraging fashion to defeat Fair Oak by 44 runs. The brewers coming out on top in what was a low scoring affair. Asked to bat Alton made an encouraging start but they slumped from 70 for 2 to 128 all out. Skipper Hugo Hammond led the way with 35, Tom Green was the only other player to make it past twenty making a valuable 26. Alton would have been fearing the worst as the home side moved to 31 without loss but once Stephen Ball had made the break trough wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Fair Oak collapsing to 84 all out. Toby Salmon picked up 4 for 36, Stephen Ball 2 for 18 and Lee Partner finished the innings off picking up 4 for 8 off just 4.2 overs.

Whitchurch V Alton 3rd XI
Alton third string made in 2 from 2 as they overcame Whitchurch by 64 runs. Alton posted a below par 145 all out, Andy Pearce the main contributor scoring a fine 55. 145 proved to be though as the returning Dan Trim blew Whitchurch away in a fine spell ending with figures of 5 for 16 off 8 overs. Young duo of Ethan Streek and Ellis Ballinger also picking up 2 wickets each as the visitors eased to victory.

Alton 4th XI v Wrecclesham
Alton were humbled by table topping Wrecclesham, asked to bat first Alton knew it would be a tough ask against a strong Wrecclesham side. Alton were bowled out for 79 with only Adrian Trim 25 and John Porter 12 holding up proceedings as they put on 33 for the last wicket. Wrecclesham chased down the target for the loss of three wickets to wrap up a comfortable seven wicket victory.

Summer Camps 2018

Here is the information for the summer camps in 2018.

Camp 1: 30th July to 3rd August inclusive
Camp 2: 13th August to 17th August inclusive